IS 1659: Block Boards -Specification

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18 1659:2004

( Wt277 g^^TW )

Indian Standard

BLOCK BOARDS — SPECIFICATION

(Fourth Revision)

ICS 79.060.01

© BIS 2004

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 1 10002

August 2004 Price Group 8

Wood and Other LignoceJlulosic Products Sectional Committee, CED 20

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard (Fourth Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by
the Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering
Division Council.

Block boards are being used in increasing quantities in the construction of railway carriages, bus bodies, marine
and river crafts and for furniture making, partitions, panelling, prefabricated houses, etc. This standard was
originally formulated in I960 and subsequently revised in 1969, 1979 andl990 to lay down the method of
manufacture, tests for such boards and review of species of timber with a view to assuring the optimum performance
requirements for different uses. The fourth revision is based on the experience gained in the manufacture and use
of block boards over the years and the modifications mainly relate to incorporation of amendments in earlier
version, specifying mycological test for MR Grade Boards only and adding spot test for checking preservative
treatment; provision of modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity requirements and its test method; including
giving dimensions and tolerances in this specification.

In the formulation of this standard, due weightage has been given to international co-ordination among standards
and practices prevailing in different countries in addition to relating it to the practices in the field in this country.

A scheme of labelling environment friendly products to be known as ECO-Mark has been introduced at the
instance of the Ministry of Environpient and Forests (MEF), Government of India. The ECO-Mark shall be
administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the BIS Act, 1986 as per the Resolution No. 7 1 dated
21 February 1991 published in the Gazette of the Government of India. For a product to be eligible for ECO-
Mark, it shall also carry the Standard Mark of the BIS besides meeting additional optional environment friendly
requirements.

The composition of the technical committee responsible for the formulation of this standard is given at Annex M.

For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard, is complied with, the final value,
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2 : 1960 'Rules for rounding off numerical values {revised)'. The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

AMENDMENT NO. 1 NOVEMBER 2009

TO

IS 1659 : 2004 BLOCK BOARDS — SPECIFICATION

(Fourth Revision)

{Page 2, clause 7.3) — Add the following at the end:

'NOTE - Edge straightness and squareness shall be tested as per Annex D.'

{Page 2, clause 8.1.5, last line) — Substitute 'Annex E' for 'Annex D'.

{Page 3, clause S.2.3, fourth line) — Substitute 'Annex E' for 'Annex D'.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.1, first line) — Substitute 'Annex F' for 'Annex E'.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.2.1) — Substitute the following for the existing:

'9.2.2.1 Test specimens for BWP grade block boards, after soaking in boiling water for 72 h and tested as
in Annex G shall comply with the requirements of 9.2.3. Alternatively, the specimens shall be subjected to
constant steam pressure inside a vacuum steam pressure test apparatus as described in G-1.1.2 and shall
thereafter comply with the requirements of 9.2.3.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.2.2, third line) — Substitute 'Annex G' for 'Annex F'.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.3, first line) — Substitute 'Annex H' for 'Annex G'.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.4, second line) — Substitute 'Annex r for 'Annex H'.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.5, second line) — Substitute 'Annex K'/or 'Annex J'.

{Page 3, clause 9.2.6, second line) — Substitute 'Annex h' for 'Annex K'.

{Page 8, Annex C) — Insert the following Annex at the end and rename the subsequent Annexes
accordingly:

ANNEX D
{Clause 7.3)

METHOD OF TEST FOR EDGE STRAIGHTNESS AND
SQUARENESS

D-1 PROCEDURE FOR EDGE STRAIGHTNESS

D-1.1 The straightness of the edges and ends of plywood shall be verified against a straight edge not less
than the fiill length of the plywood. If the edge on the end of the plywood is convex, it shall be held against

the straight edge in such a way as to give approximately equal gap at each end. The largest gap between the
straight edge and the edge shall be measured to the nearest millimetre and recorded.

1
Amend No. 1 to IS 1659 : 2004

D-2 PROCEDURE FOR SQUARENESS

D-2.1 The squareness of plywood shall be checked with a square with arms 500 mm long, by applying one arm

of the square to the plywood. The maximum width of the gap shall be recorded.'

(Page 9, renamed Annex G, clause G-1.1) — Add the following at the end:

'G-1.1.2 Alternate Method of Test

Pure water shall be filled in boiler of a vacuum steam pressure test (VPT) apparatus to the marking of
minimum water level on glass water level indicator and the boiler shall be switched on with the valve
connecting the boiler and main chamber in closed condition. The test specimens shall be placed in the
working (main) chamber and shall be closed air-tight with cover. The vacuum pump shall then be switched
on and vacuum inlet valve shall be kept in open condition. The steam release valve shall be kept in closed
condition. After the required vacuum of 110 ± 10 kPa has been created inside the main chamber, the
vacuum pump shall be switched off, the vacuum inlet valve closed and boiler valve connected to main
chamber opened. The time shall be noted the moment the steam pressure in the main chamber reaches 220
±10 kPa and same pressure shall be maintained for six hours. The system and boiler then shall be switched
off. The steam release valve and vacuum release valve shall slowly be opened until the steam in the
chamber is completely evacuated. The samples shall then be kept in water for 1 hour at 27±2°C. The
samples shall thereafter be tested as per 9.2.3.'

{Page 14, renamed Annex K, clause K-2) — Substitute 'b = breadth of the test specimen, in mm; '/or
'5 = breadth of the test specimen, in mm;'

(CED 20)

Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

AMENDMENT NO. 2 NOVEMBER 2011

TO
IS 1659 : 2004 BLOCK BOARDS - SPECIFICATION

(Fourth Revision)

[Page 3, clause 9.2.6 {see also Amendment No. 1)] — Substitute the
following for the existing:

'When preservative treated in accordance with 6.1, the block board shall be
tested according to the method given in Annex L. The preservative treatment at
any given place after cutting across entire cross-sectional area for the width of
the block board shall show through and through penetration of preservative
chemical.'

(CED 20)

Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

IS 1659:2004

Indian Standard
BLOCK BOARDS — SPECIFICATION

(Fourth Revision)

I SCOPE

This standard covers the essential requirements of
commercial and decorative block boards meant both
for interior and exterior uses.

2 REFERENCES

The standards listed in Annex A contain provisions
which through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this standard. At the time of publication,
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are
subject to revision and parties to agreements based on
this standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
standards indicated.

3 TERMINOLOGY

3.0 For the purpose of this standard, the definitions
given in IS 707 and the following shall apply.

3.1 Block Boards

Block board is a board having a core made up of
strips of wood, not exceeding 30 mm in width, which
may or may not be glued together and the core is glued
to two or more veneers, on either side with grain
direction of core and veneers running at right angles to
one another.

4 GRADES AND TYPES

4. 1 Block boards shall be of the following two grades:

a) BWP Grade — Such block board may be used
for bus bodies, railway coaches, prefabricated
houses, etc, where it is likely to be exposed to
high humidity and for external use.

b) MR Grade — Such block board may be used for
interior use such as furniture, partition, panelling,
ceiling, etc.

4.2 Each of the grades specified in 4.1 shall be of the
following two types:

a) Decorative Type — These are block boards with
decorative face veneers on one or both sides for
use in high class furniture, panelling, interior
decoration, partitions, etc.

b) Commercial Type — These are block boards with
veneers of commercial timber on both sides and
are used for ordinary furniture, table tops,
partitions and panelling to be painted over
flooring and seats of bus bodies, railway
carriages, etc.

4.3 The grades and types of block boards shall be
represented by the symbols given below:

Grade and Type Symbol

BWP Grade, Decorative type BWP- DEC

BWP Grade, Commercial type BWP-COM

MR Grade, Decorative type MR-DEC

MR Grade, Commercial type MR-COM

5 MATERIALS

5.1 Timber

5.1.1 Any suitable species of timber may be used for
block board manufacture. A list of species for
manufacture of block board is given in Annex B for
guidance only.

For ECO-Mark only species of wood from sources other
than natural forests such as-wood from rubber, cashew
industrial and social forestry plantations, etc, and shade
trees from tea and coffee estates, shall be used for the
manufacture of block board.

5.1.2 Face Veneers for Decorative Type of Block
Boards

The species of timber for the decorative face veneer in
decorative type of block board shall be specified by
the purchaser while placing the order. The species of
timber commonly used for face veneers of decorative
type of block boards is given in Annex C for guidance
only.

For ECO-Mark only species of wood from sources other
than natural forests such as wood from rubber, cashew
industrial and social forestry plantations, etc, and shade
trees from tea and coffee estates shall be used.

5.2 Adhesives

The adhesives used for bonding purposes shall be the
BWP type conforming to IS 848 for BWP Grade block
boards. For MR Grade block boards, the adhesives
shall be MR type conforming to IS 848.

6 MANUFACTURE

6.1 Preservative Treatment

Species of timber marked with (*) in Annex B and
Annex C and sapwood of all species, and all non-durable
species shall be treated as mentioned in IS 401.
Trimmed and cut ends of a finished block board may
be given a protective treatment.

IS 1659 : 2004

6.2 Core

The wooden strips for core shall be cut from
timber seasoned to a moisture content not exceeding
12 percent according to IS 1141. The width of each
strip of wood shall not exceed 30 mm and such strip
shall be placed edge to edge without significant gaps.
These strips may be of small lengths placed end to end
where the end joints shall be staggered. However, for
the edge strip along the length, the width of strip may
be up to 45 mm.

6.3 Cross Bands and Faces

Veneers used for cross bands and faces shall be
either rotary cut or sliced and shall be smooth. The
moisture content in the veneers shall be between 8
and 12 percent.

6.3.1 Cross band shall be not less than I.O mm
but not more than 3.0 mm in thickness. Face
veneers shall be between 0.5 to 1.5 mm in thickness
for commercial type of block boards and 0.5 to
1 .2 mm in thickness for decorative type of block
boards.

6.3.2 The construction shall be well balanced around
the central line.

6.3.3 Permissible defects and tolerances on thickness
shall conform to IS 303 and IS 1328 for commercial
and decorative veneers, respectively.

7 DIMENSIONS AND TOLERANCES

7.1 Thickness

The thickness of block boards shall be 12, 15, 19, 25,
30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 mm.

7.2 Sizes

Block boards shall be of sizes as specified below:

Length

Width

mm

mm

2 440

1 220

2 140

1 220

2 140

920

1 830

1220

1 830

920

NOTE — Any other dimensions (length, breadth and thickness)
as agreed to between the manufacturer and the purchaser may
iiho be used.

7.3 Tolerance

Tolerances on nominal size of finished boards shall be
as "iven below:

Dimension

Tolerance

Length

+ 6

Width

+ 3

_Qmm

Thickness

±5 percent

Variation in thickness

Not more than 0.5 mm

on a board

Edge straightness

2 mm per 1 000 mm

or 0.2 percent

Squareness

2 mm per 1 000 mm

or 0.2 percent

8 SAMPLING AND INSPECTION

8.L1 Lot

In any consignment, all block boards of the same grade,
type and thickness and manufactured under similar-
conditions shall be grouped together to constitute a lot.

8.1. LI The conformity of a lot to the requirements of
this standard shall be ascertained on the basis of tests
on block boards selected from it.

8.1.2 The method of drawing representative samples
and the criteria for conformity shall be as prescribed in
IS 7638.

8.1.3 Defects

All block boards selected as in 8.1.2 shall be inspected
visually for surface defects {^see 6.3.3) and if one or
more block boards are found unsatisfactory, the lot shall
be declared as unacceptable.

8.1.4 Length and Width

All block boards selected as in 8.1.2 shall have length
and width within the tolerances specified under 7.3.

8.1.5 Thickness

All block boards selected as in 8.1.2 shall have its mean
thickness and variation in thickness between any two
points on a block board as specified under 7.3 when
tested by the method described in Annex D.

8.2 Test Specimens and Number of Tests

8.2.1 The selected block boards as in 8.1.2 shall be
taken up for cutting of test specimens for further testing.

8.2.2 From each of the block boards selected, following
test specimens shall be cut from the portion 150 mm
away from the edges:

a) Six test specimens of size 200 mm x 12 mm for
the test mentioned in 9.2.1;

b) Three test specimens of size 200 mm x 100 mm
for the test mentioned in 9.2.2;

IS 1659:2004

c) Three test specimens of size 200 mm X 100 mm
for the test mentioned in 9.2.3;

d) Three test specimens of size 150 mm x 100 mm
for the test mentioned in 9.2.4;

e) Three test specimens of size (50 mm + 20 <f)
length and 75 mm width in full thickness of
board for the test mentioned in 9.2.5, where d is
the nominal thickness in mm. Greater
dimensions shall be in the direction along the
face grain; and

f) One test specimen of entire cross-sectional area
across its full width for the test mentioned in
9.2.6.

8.2.3 The test specimens so obtained shall be
conditioned in accordance with 9.1 and the thickness
of each test specimen shall be measured by the
method given in Annex D and the mean of all such
measurements calculated. The test specimens shall
then be tested for the corresponding tests.

8.3 Criteria for Conformity

A lot shall be considered as conforming to the
requirements of this standard, if the requirements
mentioned in 9.2.1 to 9.2.6 are all satisfied.

9 TESTS

9. 1 Preparation and Conditioning of Test Pieces

The required test specimens shall be cut to the specified
size as given in 8.2.2. Each test specimen shall be
rectangular with all edges cut square to the surface.
Before any tests are made, the prepared test pieces shall
be suitably conditioned.

NOTE — Exposure for 24 h to the air of a well-ventilated
room will often sufl'ice but when a greater degree of accuracy
is required, the test piece shall be exposed to an atmosphere
maintained at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C and at a relative
humidity of 65 ± 5 percent until they are substantially constant
in mass.

9.2 The block boards shall be subjected to the following
tests and shall satisfy the requirements specified under
each test.

9.2. 1 Dimensional Changes Caused by Humidity

When tested according to Annex E, the dimensions shall
not change by more than ±1 mm at relative humidities
of 90 percent and 40 percent compared to the
dimensions of the specimens conditioned at 65 percent
relative humidity. There shall be no delamination at
the extreme ranges of humidity and the changes in local
planeness measured as d/L shall be as follows:

d/L < 1/150

9.2.2 Resistance to Water

When tested according to the methods specified
in 9.2.2.1 and 9.2.2.2, the block boards shall satisfy
the requirements given therein.

9.2.2.1 Test specimens from BWP Grade block boards,
after soaking in boiling water for 72 h and tested as in
Annex F shall comply with the requirements
of 9.2.3.

9.2.2.2 Test specimens from MR Grade block boards,
after soaking of test pieces for 3 h in water at a
temperature of 60 ± 2°C and tested as in Annex F shall
comply with the requirements of 9.2.3.

9.2.3 Adhesion of Plies

The adhesion of plies shall be tested as in Annex G and
the fractured surface of the specimen shall show
adherent fibres of a 'pass standard'.
t

9.2.4 Mycological Test

MR Grade block board specimens, when tested
according to Annex H shall show no visible signs of
separation at the edges.

9.2.5 Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity

The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity when
tested according to the method given in Annex J, BWP
Grade and MR Grade boards shall have average and
minimum individual values as given below:

BWP

MR

Grade

Grade

Modulus of rupture, N/mm^ :

Average

50

40

Minimum, individual

42

34

Modulus of elasticity, N/mm^ :

Average

5 000

4 000

Minimum individual

4 200

3 400

where

d= vertical gap between any two points, and
L = horizontal distance between these points.

9.2.6 Spot Test

The preservative treatment when tested according to
the method given in Annex K, at any given place after
cutting across entire cross-sectional area for the width
of block board shall show through and through
penetration of preservative chemical.

10 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
ECO-MARK

10.1 General Requirements

10.1.1 The block board shall conform to the
requirements of quality and performance as specified
in this standard.

10.1.2 The manufacturers shall produce to BIS
environmental consent clearance from the concerned

IS 1659 : 2004

State Pollution Control Board as per the provisions
of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1977 along with the
authorization, if required under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 while applying for ECO-Mark,
appropriate with enforced rules and regulations of
Forest Department.

10.2 Specific Requirements

The block board shall conform to the specific
requirements given for ECO-Mark under relevant
clause of the standard.

NOTE — The manufacturers shall provide documentary
evidence by way of certificate or declaration to Bureau of
Indian Standards while applying for ECO-Mark.

11 MARKING

Each block board shall be legibly and indelibly marked

on any of its face with the following:

a) Indication of the source of manufacture;

b) Grade and type of block board;

c) Size (length, width and thickness);

d) Batch number and year of manufacture; and

e) The criteria for which the block boards have
been labelled as ECO-Mark,

11.1 BIS Certification Marking

The product may also be marked with the Standard
Mark .

11.1.1 The use of the Standard Mark is governed by
the provisions of Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1 986
and the rules and regulations made thereunder. The
details of conditions under which the licence for the
use of Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturers
or producers may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian
Standards.

ANNEX A

{Clause 2)

LIST OF REFERRED INDIAN STANDARDS

IS No. Title

303 : 1989 Specification for plywood for general
purposes {third revision)

401 : 2001 Preservation of timber — Code of
practice (fourth revision)

707 : 1 976 Glossary of terms applicable for timber
technology and utilization (second
revision)

848 : 1974 Specification for synthetic resin

IS No. Title

adhesives for plywood (phenolic and
aminoplastic) (first revision)

1141 : 1993 Code of practice for seasoning of timber
(second revision)

1328 : 1996 Specification for veneered decorative
plywood (third revision)

7638 : 1999 Wood/Lignocellulosic based panel
products — Methods of sampling
(second revision)

IS 1659 : 2004

ANNEX B
{Clauses 5.1,1 and 6. 1 )

TIMBER FOR BLOCK BOARD (OTHER THAN FACE VENEERS OF
DECORATIVE TYPE BLOCK BOARDS)

Standard Trade Name

Botanical Name

Abbreviation

Aini

Artocarpus hirsuitus

AIN

*Alder

Alnus spp.

ALD

Amari

Amoora spp.

AMA

Arjun

TerminaUa arjuna

ARJ

*Bahera

Terminalia bellerica

BAH

Benteak

Lagerstroemia lanceolata

BEN

Birch

Betula, spp.

BIR

Bonsum

Phoebe spp.

BON

* Cashew

Anacardium occidentale

CAS

*Caraliia

Carallia brachiata

CAR

(Maniawga)

(Syn. integerrima)

Champ

Michelia spp.

CHM

Chaplash

Artocarpus chaplasha

CHP

Chikrassy

Chukrasia velutina (Syn. C tabularis)

CHI

*Chilauni

Schima wallichii

CHL

*Chir

Pinus roxburghii (Syn. P. longifoUa)

CHR

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum spp.

CIN

Deodar

Cedrus deodara

DEO

Devdam

Dysoxylum binectariferum

DEV

*Diilenia

Dillenia spp.

DIL

Dipika (Lapse)

Mansonia dipikae

DIP

Debdaru (Nedunar)

Polyalthia spp.

DEB

Ebony

Diospyros spp.

(other than D. Diospyros marmorata)

EBO

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus spp.

EUC

Fir

Abies spp.

FIR

G amari

Gmelina arborea

GAM

Gandeiipoma

Dysoxylum hamiltonii

GEN

*Gokul

Ailanthus integrifolia (Syn. A. grandis)

GOK

Gurjan

Dipterocarpus spp.
(other than D. macrocarpus)

GUR

Haldu

Adina cordifolia

HAL

Hathipaila

Pterospermum acerifolium

HAT

Hollock

Terminalia myriocarpa

HDL

Hollong

Dipterocarpus macrocarpus

HON

*Jaman

Syzygium spp.

JAM

*Jhingan

Lannea coromandelica (Syn. Lannea grandis)

JHI

♦Kadam

Anthocephalus cadamba

KAD

IS 1659 : 2004

Standard Trade Name

Botanical Name

Abbreviation

*Kail

Pinus wallichiana (Syn. P. excelsa)

KAL

Kanju

Holoptelea integrifolia

KAN

*Karani

Cullenia rosayroana
(Syn. C. excelsa)

KAR

Kathal

Artocarpus heterophyllus
(Syn. A. integrifolius)

KAT

Kindal

Terminalia paniculata

KIN

Kokko

Albizzia lebbeck

KOK

Lakooch

Artocarpus lakoocha

LAK

* Lam pat i

Duabanga grandiflora
(Syn. D. sonneratioides)

LAP

Laurel

Terminalia alata
(Syn. T. coriacea, T. crenulata)

LAU

*Machilus

Machilus spp.

MAC

Mahogany

Swietenia spp.

MAG

*Maina

Teterameles nudiflora

MAI

Makai

Shorea assamica

MAK

*Mango

Mangifera spp.

MAN

Maple

Acer spp.

MAP

Melia

Melia dubia

MEL

MuUilam

Zanthoxylum rhetsa

(Syn. Fagara budrunge; Z. bundurunga;
Z. limonella)

MUI

*Mundani

A crocarpus fraxinifolius

MUN

"Neem

Azadirachta indica

NEE

Pali

Palaquium ellipticum

PAL

*Piney

Kingiodendron pinnatum
(Syn. Hardwickia pinnatd)

PIN

Foot!

Calopyllum spp.

POO

♦Poplar

Populus spp.

POP

Pussur

Xylocarpus spp.

PUS

Pyinma

Lagerstroemia hypoleuca

PYI

Red Bombwe

Planchonia valida
(Syn. P. andamanica)

RBO

*Red Dhup

Parishia insignis

RDH

Rosewood

Dalbergia latifolia

ROS

♦Rubber wood

Hevea braziliunsis

RUB

*Semul

Bombax ceiba

SEM

♦Silver Oak

Grevillea robusta

SOA

Sissoo

Dalbergia sissoo

SIS

* Spruce

Picea smithiana
(syn. P. morinda)

SPR

IS 1659 : 2004

Standard Trade Name

Botanical Name

Abbreviation

Teak

Tectona grandis

Toon

Toona ciliata

(Syn. Cedrela toona)

*Vatica

Vatica spp.

*Vellapine

Vateria Indica

Walnut

Juglans regia

* White Bombwe

Term inalia procera

White Cedar

Dysoxylum malabaricum

White Chuglam

Terminalia bialata

*WhiteDhup

Canarium spp.

TEA
TOO

VAT

VEL

WAL

WBO

WCE

WCH

WDH

NOTE — Species of timber to be treated {see 6.1) are indicated by star ( * ).

IS 1659:2004

ANNEX C

{Clauses 5.1.2 and 6.1)

TIMBER FOR FACE VENEERS OF DECORATIVE TYPE BLOCK BOARDS

Standard Trade Name

Botanical Name Abbreviation

Birch

Betula, spp.

SIR

Bola

Morns laevigata

BOL

Champ

Michelia spp.

CHM

Chaplash

Artocarpns chaplasha

CHP

Chikrassy

Chukrasia velutina (Syn. C. tabularis)

CHI

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum spp.

CIN

Devdam

Dysoxylum binectariferum

DEV

Dipika (Lapse)

Mansonia dipikae

DIP

Gandelipoma

Dysoxylum hamiltonii

GEN

Kanju

Holoptelea integrifolia

KAN

Koicko

Albizzia lebbeck

KOK

Laurel

Terminalia alata (Syn. T. coriacea, T. crenulata)

LAU

Mahogany

Swietenia spp.

MAG

Makai

Shorea assamica

MAK

Maple

Acer spp.

MAP

Mullilam

Zanthoxylum rhetsa

(Syn. Fagara budrunge; Z. budurunga; Z limonella)

MUX

♦Narikel

Pterygota alata

NAR

Padauk

Pterocarpus dalbergioides

PAA

Poon

Calophyllum spp.

POO

Rosewood

Dalbergia latifolia

ROS

♦Siris

Albizzia chinensis

SIR

Sissoo

Dalbergia sissoo

SIS

Teak

Tectona grandis

TEA

Walnut

Juglans regia

WAL

White Cedar

Dysoxylum malabricum

WCE

White Chuglam

Terminalia bialata (sapwood)

WCH

NOTE — Species of timber to be treated (see 6.1) arc indicated by star ( * ).

IS 1659 : 2004

ANNEX D

(Clauses S. 1. 5 and 8.2.3)

TEST FOR THICKNESS AND VARIATION IN THICKNESS

D-I PROCEDURE

D-1.1 Each board shall be tested for thickness.

D- 1.1.1 Thickness

approximately 20 mm inside the edges of the test
pieces, at four comers, and at midpoints of the long
edges.

The thickness shall be measured in millimetres to an
accuracy of ±0.02 mm. Six readings shall be taken

D-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

The mean thickness of each of test samples shall be
reported.

ANNEX E

(Clause 9. 2.\)

TEST FOR DETERMINING DIMENSIONAL CHANGES CAUSED BY HUMIDITY

E-1 PROCEDURE

E-1.1 The test specimens shall be conditioned in an
atmosphere maintained at 27 ± 2°C and 65 ± 5 percent
relative humidity to constant mass. The length of each
test specimen shall be measured to an accuracy of
±0.5 mm making use of a jig which permits the test
piece to be pressed against a flat plate to eliminate the
effect of any warping that may have occurred. The
thickness of each test specimen shall be measured, to
an accuracy of 0.02 mm at three marked points, one at
each end and one at the mid point of its length.

E-1. 2 Half the number of these test specimens shall
then be placed in an atmosphere maintained at 90 ± 5
percent and other half in 40 ± 5 percent relative
humidity at 27 ± 2°C and they shall be weighed and

measured from time to time at such intervals as may be
required until constant mass and dimensions are
obtained.

E-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

The differences in length and thickness as compared
with those of the conditioned test specimen shall be
reported for each test specimen at each relative
humidity.

NOTE — If a controlled humidity chamber is not available,
the required atmospheres may be obtained approximately by
using an airtight vessel containing moist salts as follows:

90 percent relative humidity
65 percent relative humidity
40 percent relative humidity

Sodium carbonate

Ammonium nitrate

Magnesium chloride or zinc
nitrate hexahydrate

ANNEX F

(Clauses 9. 2.2 A and 9.2.2.2)

TEST FOR DETERMINING RESISTANCE TO WATER

F-1 PROCEDURE

F-1.1 For testing of BWP Grade block boards, test
specimens shall be submerged in a pan of cold water,
care being taken that the pieces do not touch the bottom
of the pan. Water shall then be brought to the boiling
temperature and maintained at this temperature for 72
h. The test specimens shall then be removed from the
boiling water and plunged immediately into cold water.
The 72 h period may be reckoned as an aggregate of
shorter periods of boiling, the test specimens being left
in cold water between such periods when the water is
not boiling.

F-1.2 For testing of MR Grade block boards, the test
specimens shall be submerged in a pan of cold water,
care being taken to see that they do not touch the bottom
of the pan. Water shall then be brought to the
temperature of 60 ± 2°C and maintained at this
temperature for 3 h. The test specimens shall then be
removed from the hot water and plunged immediately
into cold water,

F-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

The results shall be reported as 'pass standard',
'excellent' or 'poor' after carrying out the tests as in
Annex G.

IS 1659 : 2004

ANNEX G

{Clauses 9.2.3 and F-2)

TEST FOR ADHESION OF PLIES

G-1 APPARATUS

G-1.1 The type of knife required to be used in the
test is given in Fig. 1 . It may be made from a file. The
cutting edge should be kept chisel sharp.

G-I.2 The test shall be carried out on a stout table to
which is screwed a wooden batten against which the
edge of the test specimen is placed as indicated in

Fig. 2.

G-2 PROCEDURE

G-2. 1 The knife is inserted with its cutting edge parallel
to the grain of the outer veneer and worked into, or if
possible, along a glue line and the veneer is pierced
upward. A hard and dense species requires considerable
force to effect entry and to pierce the veneer. In a soft
species, the knife tends to follow any easy course
through the wood and in this case, it is essential that
the knife be firmly guided along the glue line.

G-2.2 Example of cases when the bond just passes the
requirements is indicated in Fig. 3 and this is judged by
the relative amounts of wood fibre left on the core
veneer, and the area pierced off. The grading is assessed
chiefly on the appearance of the break but is a
concomitant requirement that the force shall be needed
to effect separation.

G-2.3 The bond is excellent when it is difficuh to
find the glue line and impossible to keep the tool
within it for more than 6 mm without cutting into
adjacent wood. On piercing upwards, the veneer usually
breaks off over width only slightly greater than that of
the tool. Examples of excellent bond are illustrated in
Fig. 4.

G-2.4 The bond is poor when the knife meets little

opposition into the glue line and the pierce results in
the easy removal of almost all the veneers from one
side of the test specimen. The separated veneers are
usually almost free from adherent fibre. Examples of
poor bond are illustrated in Fig. 5.

G-3 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

The results shall be reported as 'pass standard',
'excellent' or 'poor' {see Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).
Block boards designated as poor shall be declared as
unsatisfactory.

G-4 TEST FOR GLUE ADHESION BETWEEN
CORE AND ADJOINING VENEERS

G-4.1 To test the glue adhesion between the core
and the adjoining veneers, the qualitative test as
given in G-4. 1.1 may be used.

G-4. 1.1 The central core strips shall be forcibly
separated from its adjacent veneers by a chisel inserted
in the bond line and affecting the separation in the
direction of the core strips. The capacity of the bond
should be judged by the relative amount of wood fibres
left by the veneer and core strips. Force shall be needed
to effect the separation. The grading should be assessed
on the basis of the appearance of the failure. The bond
should be considered excellent when it is difficult to
find the glue line clearly for more than 10 mm length
along the battens and on its entire width without torn
fibres appearing on the area of separation. The bond
should be considered as poor when the chisel meets
little opposition in the glue line and if there is an easy
separation between the core strips and the veneers. If
the glue adhesion between battens of the core in a block
board in which the core strips are bonded is to be tested,
a similar procedure and criteria may be followed.

10

IS 1659:2004

A KNIFE OF THIS KIND CAN BE
MADE FROM 250x25mm FILE

i

25mm

a

Fig. 1 Knife for Testing Plywood for Adhesion of Plies

Fig. 2 Method of Testing for Adhesion

11

IS 1659 : 2004

w-

Fig, 3 Example of 'Minimum Pass' Standard

WKr-

fe;.=

Fig. 4 Example of 'Excellent' Adhesion
12

IS 1659 : 2004

..,*••

i*!^ir ^

Fig. 5 Example of 'Poor' Adhesion

13

IS 1659 : 2004

ANNEX H

(Clause 9.2.4)

MYCOLOGICAL TEST

HI PROCEDURE

H-1.1 A flat rectangular dish of enamelled iron, glass
or porcelain (such as a photographic developing dish)
shall be filled to a depth not less than 25 mm with a
layer of sawdust obtained from a non-durable timber
like Semul {Salmalia malabaricd), in its natural
condition. The sawdust shall have previously been
moistened with water containing 14 g/litre of sucrose
(normally cane sugar would be used but if not available,
30 g of commercial malt extract may be substituted) so
that it is saturated with moisture, but not so wet that
free water can be squeezed out of it by hand pressure.
To attain this condition with dry sawdust, it is usually
necessary to add water three times of its mass.

H-1.2 The sawdust shall then be charged with spores
of commonly occurring Indian fungi loosely
compacted, and the test specimens then pressed down

into it so that their upper surfaces are in level with the
top of the sawdust layer.

H-1.3 The dish shall then be covered with a sheet of
glass and the edges of the dish sealed against glass with
a strip of material, such as modelling wax, so that the
atmosphere round the test specimens shall remain
saturated with water vapour.

H-1.4 The dish and contents shall be maintained at
27 ± 2°C for a period of 3 weeks in a suitable
thermostatically controlled incubator, after which the
test specimens shall be removed, washed in cold water
until cool and whilst still water soaked, shall be checked
for compliance with the requirements of 9.2.4.

H-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

The test results shall be reported as conforming to the
standard or otherwise.

ANNEX J

{Clause 9.2.5)

TEST FOR MODULUS OF RUPTURE AND MODULUS OF ELASTICITY/

J-1 PROCEDURE

The span shall be 20 times the nominal depth. The load
shall be applied through appropriate loading block for
centre loading with a continuous motion of the movable
head. The testing machine shall move at a constant rate
of 5 mm/min throughout the test till a failure is
indicated.

^~l REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

Data for load deflection curves may be taken to
determine the modulus of rupture and modulus of
elasticity using the formulae given below. Deflection
readings shall be recorded to the nearest 0.02 mm.
Increments of load shall be so chosen that not less than
12 and preferably 15 or more readings of load and
deflections are taken to the proportional limit.

Modulus of rupture, N/mm^

2 biP

PU
AbcPA

Modulus of elasticity, N/mm^ =

where

F' = maximum load, in N;

P= load, in N, at the limit of proportionality
which shall be taken as the point in load-
deflection curve above which the graph
deviates from the straight line;

L = span of the test specimens, in mm;

B = breadth of the test specimen, in mm;

d= depth of the test specimen, in mm; and

A = deflection in mm at the limit of proportionality
(which is corresponding to P in the load-
deflection graph).

14

IS 1659:2004

ANNEX K
(Clause 9.2.6)

METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PENETRATION AND
IDENTIFICATION OF PRESERVATIVE BY SPOT TEST

K-1 GENERAL

Preservative treatment is carried out in timber used for
core stock of block boards as per IS 401 . Preservatives
used are generally water soluble leachable preservatives
like boric acid or borax. Water soluble fixed type
preservatives like copper-chrome-arsenic, acid-cupric-
chromate, borated-copper-chrome or ammoniacal-
copper-arsenite are also used.

Method for the determination of penetration of copper-
chrome-arsenic composition and acid-crupric-chromate
and ammoniacal-copper-arsenite composition are given
below. Definite colour reactions are not given by other
common preservatives.

K-2 COPPER-CHROME- ARSENIC
COMPOSITION ACID-CUPRIC-CHROMATE
COMPOSITION BORATED-COPPER-CHROME
COMPOSITION AND AMMONIACAL-COPPER-
ARSENITE COMPOSITION

K-2. 1 Detection for Copper

K-2.1.1 Dissolve 0.5 g chrome Azurol-S, 5.0 g of
sodium acetate in 80 ml water and dilute to 100 ml.

K-2.1 .2 Spray or brush the solution over split or cross
section or boring/bore dust with a fine spray on the cut
surface of treated wood. A deep blue colour shows the
presence of copper.

K-2.2 Detection for Chromium

K-2.2.1 Dissolve 0.5 g - diphenyl carbazide in 50 ml
isopropyl alcohol and 50 ml of distilled water.

K-2.2.2 Spray or brush the solution on the boring/bore
dust or cross section of treated wood. Portions
containing chromium will develop a purple colour,
while unpenetrated/untreated portion will remain as
such.

K-2.3 Detection for Arsenic

K-2.3.1 Solution 1

3.5 g ammonium molybdate dissolved in 90 ml distilled

water followed by 9 ml concentrated nitric acid.
Solution 2

0.7 g benzidine dihydrochloride dissolved in 10 ml
concentrated acetic acid and diluted to 100 ml by adding
90 ml distilled water.

Solution 3

30 g stannous chloride dissolved in 100 ml 1:1
hydrochloric acid in distilled water.

Solution 1 may be prepared fresh for each day testing.
Solution 2 and Solution 3 may be stored in clean glass
stoppered brown glass bottles for one week.

K-2.3.2 Apply Solution 1 to the boring or cross section
ensuring that entire wood surface is saturated. After 2
min, excess solution is shaken off and allowed to dry
for about 1 min. Solution 2 is next applied in the same
way as Solution 1. After 2 min, the excess solution is
shaken off and surface is allowed to dry for I min.
Solution 3 is last applied by pouring over cross section
or boring beginning at untreated part. The entire wood
surface will immediately turn bluish.

K-3 METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF
BORON IN BORAX : BORIC ACID, CCB,
BCCA

K-3.1 Solution 1

Extract 10 g turmeric powder with 90 g ethyl alcohol.
Decant or filter to obtain clear solution.

K-3.2 Solution 2

20 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid diluted to
100 ml with ethyl alcohol and then saturated with
salicylic acid (about 13 g per 100 ml).

K-3.3 Solution 1 is applied on the dry cut surface of
wood or cross section by spraying or with a dropper
and the surface is allowed to dry for a few minutes.
Solution 2 is then applied in a similar manner to the
areas that have been coloured yellow by the application
of Solution 1 . The colour changes shall be observed
carefully. Areas having presence of boron turn red.

15

IS 1659 : 2004

ANNEX M

{Foreword)

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products Sectional Committee, CED 20

Organization
Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute,

Bangalore
All India Agro-Board Association, Pune

Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council, New Delhi

Central Building Research institute, Roorkee

Central Public Works Department, New Delhi

Civil Aviation Department (Technical Centre), New Delhi

Coir Board, Bangalore

Council of Architecture, New Delhi

Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals, Hyderabad

Directorate of Standardization, New Delhi

Engineer-in-Chief s Branch, New Delhi

Federation of Indian Plywood & Panel Industry, New Delhi

Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun

Indian Academy of Wood Science, Dehra E>un

Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute,

Bangalore
Institute of Wood Science & Technology, Bangalore
Jolly Board, Mumbai

Kutty Flush Door & Furniture Co Pvt Limited, Chennai

Timpack Pvt Limited, Bymihat

Mangalam Timber Products Limited, Bangalore

Ministry of Defence (DGQA), Kanpur

Ministry of Defence (R&D), New Delhi
Ministry of Railways, Lucknow

National Test House (ER), Kolkata

Northern India Plywood Manufacturer Association, Jalandhar

Novopan India Limited, Hyderabad

Nuchem Limited, New Delhi

Permalli Wallace Limited, Bhopal

The South Indian Plywood Mfrs Association, Chennai

The Western India Plywood Limited, Cannanore

In personal capacity (H.No. 12, HIG, 1" Stage, K.H.B. Colony,

Basaveshwara Nagar, Bangalore 560079)
BIS Directorate Genera!

Representative (s)
Dr C. N. Pandey (Chairman)

Shri V. S. Raju

Representative (Alternate)
Shri J. K. Prasad

Shri A. K.. Tiwari (Alternate)
Dr Y. Singh

Dr L. K. Agarwal (Alternate)
Shri Surinder Kumar

Shri S. K. Verma (Alternate)
Shri B. V. Joshi

Shri N. M. Walecha (Alternate)
Joint Director
Representative
Shri M. Gangaraaj
Dr (Shrimati) Indu Gupta

Shri G. K. Sharma (Alternate)
Shrimati Meenakshi

Shrimati Amita Raj (Alternate)
Shri Jayadeep Chitlangia

Shri S. P. Goenka (Alternate)
Director

Representative (Alternate)
Secretary

Joint Secretary (Alternate)
Shri K. Shyamasundar

Shri S. Padmanabhan (Alternate)
Dr K. S. Rao
Shri Arvind Jolly

Shri P. K. Das G\ms (Alternate)
CoL Y. G. Krishnan
Representative
Shri K. Sridhar

Shri Anil Talwar (Alternate)
Shri Ram Chandra

Shri J. K. Sinha (Alternate)
Shri Ravindex Kumar
Director Standards (Carriage)

Assistant Director (Alternate)
Shri D. K. Kanungo

Er Rajinder KAPtm (Alternate)
Shri N. K. Tiwari

Shri Anil Goel (Alternate)
Shri S. A Naqih

Shri A. V. V. Raohavacharya (Alternate)
Shri Sudev Barak

Shri Praveen Kumar (Alternate)
Shri S. K. Kadesia

Shri B. S. Parmar (Alternate)
Shri K. Sankarakrishnan
Shri P. K. MohaMEd
Shri S. S. ZooLACin>

Shri S. K. Jain, Director & Head (CED)
[Representing Director General (Ex-officio)]

Member-Secretary

Shri J. C. Arora

Director (CED), BIS

16

IS 1659 : 2004

Wood, Other Lignocellulosic Based Building Boards and Speciality
Wood Products Subcommittee , CED 20 : 6

Organization
In personal capacity [No. 1 79, 24th B-Cross, 3rd Block,

Jayanagar, Bangalore 5600 IJ]
Arunachal Plywood Industries Limited, Kolkata

Bharat Heavy Etectricals Limited, Bhopal

Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee

Central Coir Researcli Institute, Kalavoor
Central Public Works Department, New Delhi

Coir Industrial Products Co-operation Society Limited,

Bangalore
Council of Architecture, New Delhi
DGS & D, New Delhi
Engineer-in-Chief s Branch, New Delhi

Federation of Indian Plywood and Panel Industry, New Delhi
Forest Research Institute (Forest Products Division), Dehra Dun

Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, Mumbai

Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute,

Bangalore
Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore

Integral Coach Factory, Chennai
Jolly Board Limited, Mumbai

Kutty Flush Doors and Furniture Company Pvt Limited, Chennai

ECO Board Industries Limited, Pune

Kerala State Bamboo Corporation, Cochin
NCL Industries Limited, Hyderabad

Mangalam Timber Products Limited, Kolkata

Ministry of Defence (DGQA), Kanpur

Ministry of-Defence (R&D), Kanpur

Ministry of Railways, Lucknow

Natura Fibretech Pvt Limited, Bangalore

North India Plywood Manufacturing Association, Jalandhar

Novopan India Limited, Hyderabad

Nuchcm Limited, Faridabad

Permali Wallace Limited, Bhopal

The Gurdit Institute Pvt Limited, Dharwad

The Mysore Chipboards Limited, Mysore

The South Indian Plywood Manufacturers' Association,

Koyambedu
The Western India Plywood Limited, Cannanore

In personal capacity (5/6, 1st floor, 13th 'B' Main, HAL,
2nd Stage, Indira Nagar, Bangalore 560008)

In personal capacity {C/o Western India Plywood Ltd,
Baliapatam, Cannanore 670010)

Representative (s)
Dr H. N. Jagadeesh {Convener)

SuRi M. M. Jalan

Shri J. Prashad (Alternate)
Shri M. V. Prabhakar

Shri S. K. Gupta {Alternate)
Dr L. K. Aggarwal

Shri B. Singh {Alternate)
Shri M. Sudhakaran Pillai
Superintending Engineer (S&S)

Executive Engineer (S&S) {Alternate)
Shri Manoj Kumar

Shri Vuay Ghorpade {Alternate)
Representative
Shri N. K. Upadhyay
Shrimati p. Meenakshi

Col N. a. Kumar {Alternate)
Representative
Head of Department

Dr S. P. SitKSH {Alternate)
Shri Guush V. Nalavaoe

Shri MAwraHAi M. Shah (Alternate)
Dr S. K. Nath

Shri M. Venugopal Naidu (Alternate)
Dr R. V. Rao

Dr Ajav Karmakar (Alternate)
Representative
Shri Arvind Jolly

Shri P. K. Das Gim/s. (Alternate)
Shri K. Sankarakrishnan

Col Y. G. Krishnan (Alternate)
Shri B. V. Rao

Shri Siva Sankar Kauve (Alternate)
Manager
Shri A. R. Raju

Shri Prakash Raju (Alternate)
Shri G. S. Gupta

Shri G. R. Patnaik (Alternate)
Shri J. K. Sinha

Maj R. N. Saigal (Alternate)
Shri P. S. Srivastava

Shri Ravindra Kumar (Alternate)
Deputy Director Standards (Carriage)

Assistant Director (Alternate)
Shri Tommy Mathew

Shri Sunil Vargeese (Alternate)
Shri Surinder Arora

Shri Naresh Tiwari (Alternate)
Shri S. A. Naqui

Shri A. V. V. Raghavacharya (Alternate)
Shri Sudev Barar

Dr R. M. Mehta (Alternate)
Shri S. K. Kodesia

Shri B. S. Parmar (Alternate)
Shri Yaskaran Singh Lauly ^

Shri S. N. Sharma (Alternate)
Shri A. Ananthachar
Shri K. Sankarakrishnan

Secretary (Alternate)
Shri K. P. Kamaludoin

Shri C. A. Gafoor (Alternate)
Shri P. K. Bagchi

Shri P. K. Mohamed

17

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Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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